Vladimir Tarasenko is a three-time All-Star who is one of the NHL’s premier snipers. Mathew Barzal scored 85 points as a rookie and, in the process, is the overwhelming favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s best first-year player.

Why does this matter? Barzal and Tarasenko were each taken 16th in their respective draft years. And guess who’s picking 16th in a little bit more than a week at this year’s NHL draft?

Recent history shows Colorado is in a strong spot with the 16th pick. At first it might appear to be a middle of the road selection. Go a little deeper and the last decade shows the team picking 16th has a chance to grab a player who could be a key building block going forward.

There’s no guarantee the Avalanche or any team picking 16th will strike it rich. Sometimes it does come down to what other teams higher in the queue are doing.